@Somalian Embassy in Rome (10 images)

2005, Somalian Embassy in Rome (text and photos by Andrea Ranalli/S4C)
The neighborhood is one of the most elegant in Rome, and the quiet street is full of greenery. Zeinab Ahmed Barahow is playing "hostess" in a building protected by a hedge and two large wrought-iron gates. Outside, a brass sign reads "Embassy of the Somali Democratic Republic".

2005, Somalian Embassy in Rome (text and photos by Andrea Ranalli/S4C)
The neighborhood is one of the most elegant in Rome, and the quiet street is full of greenery. Zeinab Ahmed Barahow is playing "hostess" in a building protected by a hedge and two large wrought-iron gates. Outside, a brass sign reads "Embassy of the Somali Democratic Republic".

The story of Farah - who arrived in Italy but went on to settle in another European Union country, from where he was sent back to Italy again - is similar to that of many other Somalis who are encamped at the former embassy, and who in bureaucratic jargon are called "Dublin cases". These are people who first sought asylum in Italy but, unable to survive because they lacked working rights and received no aid whatsoever, subsequently moved to other countries of the EU, where they re-applied for asylum.

"In Sweden, I had a home, a health care card, and I was taking a course for carpenters. In the eight months I was there, I also learned a bit of the language, because a teacher gave us lessons twice a week," said another Somali asylum seeker, Sadin, aged 25. "Since the Swedish police sent me back to Italy, I have been sleeping here out in the open, in a place without electricity or hot water."« less